Thursday, June 6, 2013

Thai Tea Two Ingredient Ice Cream (★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆)

So "Phase One" of Rebuild Natalie's world is complete.

My Bestie is all moved and settled into the Coastal Land of the Hippies...more commonly known as Santa Cruz.  

And I've only been to visit her twice!  
She's been gone five whole days!  

That's pretty impressive considering we've seen each other practically every day since we decided to become BFF's three years ago.  

Yes, we literally just decided...like kids in kindergarten.  
And the rest is history!

I have to say, though, I knew I would miss her once she moved out, but I thought I'd miss our lamenting over the decline of "Smash" sessions or her incessant need to show me every. single. item of clothing she bought that day (yes, every. day.).  

So I was surprised that it hit me hardest at 6:30am, the morning after we moved her out.  
Because I am a morning grump!
I've spent the past ten months praying every morning that our paths wouldn't cross for at least a good half hour...or better yet - ever.

I know!  I sound horrible.
It's because I am!

I need the morning to adjust to being alive again. What am I doing?  Why am I here?  Do I really exist?
These are some of life's most difficult questions and I get asked them each and every morning.  
So ya, I'm not really excited to talk about how amazing it will be when we all have a chance to walk on the moon.  At this moment, I kinda want to blow up the moon.

But that morning, it hit me.  I would never inconveniently bump into her again.  Those weepy Dolly Parton serenades that used to aggravate me to no end, now sounded kind of sweet.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still not fully functional until 8am.  
It's been a few days and I think I've gotten the hang of this new routine.
So I think I'll stick with the memories for now. :)
One of my favorite memories, though - untainted by morning grumpiness - has to be the day Bestie introduced me to Thai Tea.

I had dragged her to a Salsa lesson at my University because I needed extra credits for my PE class, and I didn't want to go and face the swarms of creepy men who had no where else to be on a Friday night alone.

I realize now, that this was at the very, very beginning of our friendship because she wouldn't be caught dead going to a Salsa class now.  Oh, the things you'll do in the early stages of a relationship. (Like pretend you can tolerate 80's movies!)

Afterwards, we stopped by the resident college "Boba" shop and I ordered my usual blended coffee with pearls.  But Bestie.  She ordered this orange stuff.  And it changed my life.

Thai Iced Tea is slightly sweet, creamy, and a little spicy.  It's reminiscent of Chai, but has its own unique qualities.

At that moment, I was introduced to one of my new favorite foods.  Where had this drink been all my life???

Best friend?
Who needs a best friend when there is Thai Tea?
"Thai Tea" Two-Ingredient Ice Cream (Machine *Not* Needed)
Utilized Important Information from Use Real Butter

  • 3 Cups of Heavy Whipping Cream (set aside 1 cup)
  • 1/2 Cup Thai Tea Leaves (found at Asian food stores or here)
  • 1 Can (14 oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk

Needed:
-Strainer
-Airtight Storage Container
-Makes 8+ Servings
*Requires Cooking, Cooling, and Overnight Freezing Time*


So I know there are actually 3 ingredients, but the base to make plain ol' ice cream is just two ingredients.  Plus, no machine required!  Hello! Amazing. 
1) In a large saucepan, bring 2 cups of cream to a low boil.  
2) Immediately remove from heat and add in Thai Tea.  Stir until completely combined
    and let steep for 30 mins.


3) Place strainer over large bowl and pour tea mixture over it.  Try to press out any remaining liquid 
    to get a much of the tea infused milk as you can out of the leaves.  You'll notice you've lost a lot of 
    volume.  What was once runny and 2 cups is now thick and 1 cup. 
4) Let cream cool to just about room temperature, then let cool completely in the fridge (at least 2   
     hours).  I reused the cream container to store this mixture. 
5) 10-15 mins before starting the next step after the mixture has cooled, place large mixing bowl in  
     the freezer.  This will help the cream whip up faster.


6) Pour Thai Tea mixture along with the extra 1 cup of cream into the cold bowl.  Beat until fluffy and 
    no longer runny.  Stiff peaks should form. 
7) Once cream is whipped, fold in the sweetened condensed milk just until combined. 
8) Place mixture into a covered container (tupperware, etc.) and place in freezer.  Freeze overnight. 
    Scoop.  Enjoy!

Thoughts: This was good, but a little on the sweet side and the tea strength was a bit overpowering.  Next time I would definitely use less tea - probably only 1/3 Cup, and I would play around with the cream to condensed milk ratio.  

I was very skeptical about this whole "two-ingredient" fad when I decided to try it last summer.  I just couldn't believe that something so simple could actually become "ice cream."  But I have to say, it's pretty darn close.  If you want the real deal you've got to use a machine, but if you are looking for quick, simple, and easy this isn't a bad option at all. 

A word of warning though: because it's pure whipped cream and a whole lot of sweetened milk this type of ice cream is very intense and rich.  One scoop is usually plenty. 

Thai Tea is life-changingly delicious.
But I'll admit, it's no substitute for a cherished friend.
Throwing some Boba on top doesn't hurt though.






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42 comments:

  1. Thanks Angelique! I enjoy linking up each month.

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  2. Thanks! Now following via RSS Feed.

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  3. What a great post. Thanks for the wonderful tutorial. Looks delicious.

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    1. Thanks! Even if you are not into Thai Tea, the basic cream + condensed milk recipe is super customizable. :)

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  4. Visiting from Let's Get Social Sunday. I'm a New follower.
    I love that no machine is needed for this ice cream. That's hard to come by.

    Michelle @Ms. enPlace

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    1. Thanks Michelle! Ya, I like this recipe, because I don't make ice cream enough to justify the purchase.

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    2. Thank you for stopping by and linking. It's good to have you! (And your ice cream!)

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  5. There's no calories in this right? Sounds pretty freaking good!
    Jenna

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    1. No, never! You have my guarantee! ;) Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Your ice cream sounds so good, I love the pics! I eat a ton of ice cream in the summer, it's so yummy :)

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    1. Thanks! Ice Cream is one of my favorite things too. No matter how full I am...there's always room for ice cream!

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  7. This ice cream sounds fabulous! Thank you for sharing it at Marvelous Mondays this week. :)

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  8. Well, thanks for reading and for stopping by!

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  9. I've never had Thai Tea Ice Cream but this looks really good! Thank you for sharing the recipe!

    I found you on Say G'day Saturday. Have a great weekend!

    Ritchil
    http://chengand3kids.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks. And Thai Tea is one of my favorite foods! It's really good!

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  10. That looks amazing! I will have to look out for that tea. Thanks for sharing the recipe at the say G'day Saturday linky party!

    Best wishes for a great weekend,
    Natasha in Oz

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Natasha. I love your blog! And thanks for hosting every week!!

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  11. Hello Nat,

    This looks so delicious,
    and Simple. Thanks for sharing
    it with us.

    Bear Hugs,
    Carolyn

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  12. This ice cream looks decadent! I am Thai and love that someone has come up with something so yummy. I have an ice cream maker and will use it for this recipe, also since Thai (Iced) Tea is sweet anyways when ordered in a restaurant or made at home, a thought came to mind when it was mentioned that the dessert is on the sweet side - why not top it with roasted, salted cashews or peanuts, or incorporate them in the mix? Since those two varities of nuts are used in most Thai dishes I think the sweet and saltiness would compliment perfectly! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Clorisa! Yes, that sounds like a great idea! I'm also a HUGE fan of Boba, so I made some and put that on top. I found that to be very helpful in breaking up the sweet-richness of the ice cream. If you click the link to the "Use Real Butter" blog under the recipe section of this post it will give you directions on how to make this using an ice cream maker.

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  13. Excited to try this! For some reason the link for where to purchase the tea isn't working for me. Can you help?

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    1. Alright!! Thanks for letting me know. It should be fixed now. :)

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  14. What a great recipe with the hot weather on its way. I love your tutorial on the Tai Tea Ice Cream and will be making it for sure. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!


    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  15. This look wonderful! Joined your site so I won't miss any of your delicious recipes. Stopping by from the Monday pin party.

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    1. Thanks Tammy! I'll be sure to pop on over to your blog!

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  16. Your ice cream looks delicious :) Thanks for sharing with us this week at the Let's Get Social Sunday. Have a great week! Diane @MamalDiane.com

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    1. Thanks Diane! I really enjoy your Social each Sunday!

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  17. That sounds amazing! It is the hottest day of the year here so far, I could really do with some of that! :)

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  18. This ice cream sounds delicious! New follower on Bloglovin!

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  19. *squeal* Yay, you made the ice cream!

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    Replies
    1. I know! You were totally and completely my inspiration. I give you all the credit!

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  20. Thanks to give me a yummy yummy recipe, it's a delicious Taste. Really like it.For Punjabi Food recipe Visit Dharti Punjab Di

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  21. looks yummy!

    im now following you on bloglovin through the 'great blog train' blog hop.

    rainbowsandbeauty.blogspot.com xx

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  22. This looks delicious! I love the addition of tea ♥

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